The next few days went by slowly for Julia, with time passing her as if it were a snails pace. Even her school work and projects couldn't make time spin in its circle faster. Though, eventually, the end of the long daunting week came on Friday when the bell of her sixth period class rang.

She had avoided friends all week, since all of them hung around Cassie and it was that particular friend Julia refused to see. What her friend had said was even still brought into her mind at times, even when she wished it would stop tormenting her.

I mean, you deny yourself happiness…

Julia shook her head toward the thought and kept walking through the crowd of anxious students who most likely had a weekend planned with parties and friend hangouts, and even, perhaps, planning a date or two. Once again Julia stopped another set of tears that threatened to fall; she still couldn't stop that pain that hit her whenever she thought of pushing Nick away.

Yes, she had been avoiding him as well, even more so. Whenever a friend approached her she would still find sometime to talk for at least a minute or two, but when Nick tried calling for her she would disappear as fast as she could. Why, because she was afraid to let him in as just a friend.

"Julia! Julia wait!" A deep voice called from behind her. Not even stopping to think about who this person might be, Julia took off through the crowd already telling herself it was Nick who was following. "Julia! Stop!"

She didn't, at all, she only quickened her pace, brushing and running right into different students. The parking lot was just ahead and her car was in the middle, if only she parked closer!

"JULIA! WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FROM ME?" The voice behind her boomed and that was when the familiarity of the voice echoed in her head and she came to an abrupt stop, only to turn around and face an infuriated father. "Thank God!" he said, his voice still carrying an angered edge to it. "What was that all about? You've never run from me before!"

Julia stared still in shock, trying hard to figure out how she had mistaken her father's voice for Nicks! And yet, Landon still stood waiting for an explanation. "I—I'm sorry," she began trying to hold back the tears she still fought from falling, though now she would be crying from humiliation.

"I didn't ask for an apology," Landon snapped, "I want an explanation!"

"I—I wasn't running from you, honest. It was just--," she began to scan for an object to focus on as she stuttered, not wanting to look Landon in the eyes as she explained. "I thought you were Nick, and--,"

"And you were running from Nick because?.." He cut her off, watching Julia carefully.

"He wants to be my friend, but I'm too afraid," Julia stuttered, "I let him in too much and that was far enough!"

Landon suddenly took a step back and stared at her shockingly, a fearful gaze falling into his eyes, "Okay, Julia, we need to talk!"

Julia realized immediately what was troubling her dad and shook her head before the wrong idea was put across, "Not like that Dad, hone--,"

"Where were you two on your date? Why were you wet coming home? Julia I want answers, and I want them now!"

"NO! You have the wrong idea, Nick and I never went that far, I meant to say that I'm afraid to have him in my life I don't want to fall in love with him! I had never intended on you taking that all wrong, but that's what I meant." She paused for breath and could tell Landon wasn't satisfied yet, "And I was wet when I came home because when he and I were on a boat in this lake it tipped and we both fell in, alright?"

Landon stared at his daughter a moment, reading her a like a book and seeing no lies or strings attached. "Is that it then? You were only running from me because you thought I was Nick?"

Julia nodded.

"I don't see why that should make you run from him, though. He's a great person; I always enjoy having him as one of my patients. And," Landon leaned over catching her gaze with his, "He really likes you. Think about what you are doing to him by running away, if you think breaking up with him hurt, how do you think he feels seeing you hide from him?"

Julia nodded, but felt worse then before. Now how was she to see him again? But wait, was her dad encouraging her to date Nick? Why would he want her to be in the same position as he when he was hurt?

"Dad, how can you say that though?" Julia asked, "You know first hand what happens when you fall in love, right?"

Landon looked at her curiously, "Yes I do."

"And you also know what it's like to fall in love and lose them. Breaking your heart in so many places that you can't repair it; yet you still wish me to fall in love when eventually I'll lose that person too!"

"Julia, what are you talking about?"

The tears Julia fought to stay came tumbling down as she finally let out the secret she had held within for so many years. "I'm talking about you and mom and how she left you here all alone! I'm talking about you giving your heart and soul to her and her dying and leaving you here! Why do people do that??" A strange emotion filled her now, all of her feelings taking hold at once, mixed with anger, hurt, and extreme confusion.

"Julia, it was not her fault she died, she had cancer! Giving birth to you was just too much for her body to take!" Landon's anger almost started erupting again as he watched his daughter lash out at his only love and seeing the true hatred she felt for her.

"Well, if she had cancer, perhaps she shouldn't have fallen in love with you! If she cared she would have kept you away from her!"

"Julia," Landon said calmly though she could see him fighting his own emotions down, "She tried. She kept herself away from me before I even knew she had cancer and when she realized I wasn't leaving her side, she tried to leave me. It didn't work; I wasn't going to leave her alone to fight the cancer and I loved her with everything in me. And she loved me enough to try and save my life before I ever fell in love. She loved you enough to go through the pregnancy even when she knew what it held for her."

Julia's tears were close to sobs when she was about ready to push past her dad and run to her car to get away, humiliated she had just screamed her entire burdened secret she had been keeping to herself for years. Her father patiently reached out his hand and placed it on her shoulder, seeing her getting ready to run.

Landon gathered her into his arms and held her tightly, his own tears threatening to fall. "Julia, I did fall in love," he said lightly only whispering it in her ear so the passing students could not eaves drop their conversation. "But I do not regret it, I had felt something that most people in will never know even exists. And even though I miss her I know our love is still strong inside of me. That's what matters."

"But why? You're all alone now. You're pained from the loss."

"I've got you, Julia, I'm not alone. You're my forever memory of your mother and you're such a joy to have. I'm not alone. But you cannot be afraid to love, without love, life isn't even worth living!"

Julia pulled away about to respond when her eyes fell on Nick, who was standing near by. More humiliation sunk into the pit of her stomach as she remembered that she was still at school standing n the student parking lot. This meant that her peers saw crying and screaming at her father, this was getting too hard for her to take.

"How long were you standing there?" She choked out, wishing deeply that perhaps he was just a figment of her imagination though soon discovered he was really standing only as few feet away.

"Long enough," he said his voice strained. "Look, I'm sorry you felt that way about me. If you don't want me in your life then I'll gladly leave it, anything to make you happy." He paused a moment, with a thick silence falling around the two of them. "You know this might come off a little strong, but I'm going to say it anyways. I love you, and I know that it is that emotion alone that you hide from. Just know that I'm here for you and that I don't ask that you love me back. Even if we do get together I'll give you all the time you need to find out how you feel."

"Nick," Julia started he only shook his head.

"No, you need time to think about this. Bye Julia, I hope you find happiness with or without me."

A/N Sorry everyone that I didn't update this any sooner. I know it was over a month since I last posted a chapter and I'm extremely sorry. Alot of stuff happened that kept me emotionally occupied... My b/f and I broke up and my dog became really sick not long after and then there was the small part with me gettinggrounding off the computer for almost 2 weeks... so again I'm really sorry and I'll update this next chpater sooner